Person
John Cleese
Actor · Crew· Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK
John Marwood Cleese, born in 1939, is an English comedic icon whose career spans television, film, and writing. Rising to fame through Edinburgh and The Frost Report, he co-founded Monty Python, whose irreverent sketches and films—such as "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"—have left an indelible mark on comedy. With Connie Booth, he created the beloved sitcom Fawlty Towers, and later starred in films like "A Fish Called Wanda" and "Clockwise." His versatility extends to cameo roles in major franchises including James Bond, Harry Potter, and Shrek. Alongside Antony Jay, Cleese also produced entertaining training films through Video Arts, showcasing his enduring impact on both entertainment and business communications.
Known For
The roles that explain the career.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Nearly Headless Nick · 2001
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas) · 2002
Shrek 2
King Harold (voice) · 2004
Shrek the Third
King Harold (voice) · 2007
Shrek Forever After
King Harold (voice) · 2010
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1975
Life of Brian
1979
Die Another Day
Q · 2002
Filmography
80 credits across 2 departments.
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Fawlty Towers: The Play | Self | Film |
| 2023 | The Martini Shot | Dr. Auyeung | Film |
| 2023 | Rally Road Racers | Archie Vainglorious (voice) | Film |
| 2021 | Clifford the Big Red Dog | Mr. Bridwell | Film |
| 2020 | Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness | Self | Film |
| 2020 | The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee | John | Film |
| 2018 | Charming | Fairy Godmother / Executioner (voice) | Film |
| 2018 | Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer | Donner (voice) | Film |
| 2016 | Trolls | Roi Gristle (voice) | Film |
| 2015 | Absolutely Anything | Chief Alien (voice) | Film |
| 2014 | Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly) | Self (archive footage) | TV |
| 2013 | Planes | Bulldog (voice) | Film |
| 2013 | Spud 2: The Madness Continues | Mr. 'The Guv' Edly | Film |
| 2012 | A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman | Various (voice) | Film |
| 2012 | God Loves Caviar | McCormick | Film |
| 2011 | The Undefeated | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2011 | The Big Year | Historical Montage Narrator (voice) | Film |
| 2011 | John Cleese: The Alimony Tour Live | Film | |
| 2011 | Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | Narrator (voice) | TV |
| 2011 | Winnie the Pooh | Narrator (voice) | Film |
| 2011 | Beethoven's Christmas Adventure | Narrator | Film |
| 2010 | Spud | Mr. 'The Guv' Edly | Film |
| 2010 | Shrek Forever After | King Harold (voice) | Film |
| 2009 | The Pink Panther 2 | Dreyfus | Film |
| 2009 | Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened | Self / Basil Fawlty | Film |
| 2009 | Planet 51 | Professor Kipple (voice) | Film |
| 2008 | Igor | Dr. Glickenstein (voice) | Film |
| 2008 | Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus | Self | Film |
| 2008 | The Day the Earth Stood Still | Professor Barnhardt | Film |
| 2007 | The Secret Life of Brian | Self | Film |
| 2007 | Shrek the Third | King Harold (voice) | Film |
| 2006 | Monty Python's Personal Best | Self / Various Characters | TV |
| 2006 | Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam's Personal Best | Various Characters | Film |
| 2006 | Monty Python's Flying Circus—Terry Jones' Personal Best | Various Characters | Film |
| 2006 | Monty Python's Flying Circus—Eric Idle's Personal Best | Various Characters | Film |
| 2006 | Monty Python's Flying Circus—Graham Chapman's Personal Best | Various Characters | Film |
| 2006 | L'Entente cordiale | Lord Conrad | Film |
| 2006 | Monty Python's Flying Circus—Michael Palin's Personal Best | Various Characters | Film |
| 2006 | The Art of Football from A to Z | Self | Film |
| 2006 | Man About Town | Dr. Primkin | Film |
| 2006 | Charlotte's Web | Samuel the Sheep (voice) | Film |
| 2005 | The Roots of Monty Python | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2005 | Return of the Goodies | Himself | Film |
| 2005 | Complete Guide to Guys | Noted Behavioral Scientist / Noted Doctor / Leading Social Scientist / Leading Orthopedic Surgeon | Film |
| 2005 | The Funny Blokes of British Comedy | Self | Film |
| 2005 | Valiant | Mercury (voice) | Film |
| 2004 | Wine for the Confused | Self | Film |
| 2004 | Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? | Self | Film |
| 2004 | Around the World in 80 Days | Grizzled Sergeant | Film |
| 2004 | Shrek 2 | King Harold (voice) | Film |
| 2003 | Scorched | Charles Merchant | Film |
| 2003 | Stupidity | Self | Film |
| 2003 | George of the Jungle 2 | An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice) | Film |
| 2003 | Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle | Mr. Munday | Film |
| 2003 | The Meaning of Making 'The Meaning of Life' | Self | Film |
| 2002 | Best Ever Bond | Self / R | Film |
| 2002 | Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central) | Red Lansing | TV |
| 2002 | The Adventures of Pluto Nash | James | Film |
| 2002 | Mickey's House of Villains | Narrator (“Mickey's Mechanical House") (uncredited) | Film |
| 2002 | Die Another Day | Q | Film |
| 2002 | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas) | Film |
| 2001 | Rat Race | Donald P. Sinclair | Film |
| 2001 | Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse | Narrator (segment 'The Nutcracker') (voice) | Film |
| 2001 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone | Nearly Headless Nick | Film |
| 2000 | The Magic Pudding | Albert the Magic Pudding (voice) | Film |
| 2000 | Isn't She Great | Henry Marcus | Film |
| 1999 | Parting Shots | Maurice Walpole | Film |
| 1999 | The World Is Not Enough | R | Film |
| 1999 | The Out-of-Towners | Mr. Mersault | Film |
| 1998 | Monty Python: Live at Aspen | Self | Film |
| 1997 | Fierce Creatures | Rollo Lee | Film |
| 1997 | George of the Jungle | An Ape Named 'Ape' (voice) | Film |
| 1996 | The Wind in the Willows | Mr. Toad's Lawyer | Film |
| 1994 | Mary Shelley's Frankenstein | Prof. Waldman | Film |
| 1994 | The Jungle Book | Dr. Julius Plumford | Film |
| 1994 | The Swan Princess | Jean-Bob (voice) | Film |
| 1993 | Splitting Heirs | Raoul P. Shadgrind | Film |
| 1992 | Funny Business | TV | |
| 1991 | An American Tail: Fievel Goes West | Cat R. Waul (voice) | Film |
| 1990 | Bullseye! | Man on the Beach in Barbados Who Looks Like John Cleese | Film |
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